Completing Smiles with Dental Implants in Corpus Christi

Following tooth loss, patients typically rely on tooth replacement solutions that restore only the visible portions of teeth, but dental implant supported restorations offer a superior result by replacing the entire tooth, roots and all. While many patients still consider dental implants to be a “new” and innovative dentistry solution, they have actually been used for more than three decades by modern dentists, and after years of training and experience, they have a success rate as high as 98%.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium post inserted below the gum line that precisely mimics the lost root structure of missing teeth. Following surgical insertion, the dental implant fuses with the gums and supportive alveolar bone tissue, creating a durable support system that is similar to the tooth’s root structure. Once supportive tissues have thoroughly attached to the implant posts, a replacement tooth or teeth can be fixed to the implant.

Like natural tooth roots, dental implants provide support for teeth, and they stimulate the underlying jawbone to retain density and support the natural volume of gum tissue. Dental implants offer the most versatile tooth replacement options to replace any number of missing teeth, including:

Single tooth replacement – a dental crown affixed to a single implant post is the most natural way to replace missing teeth without damaging surrounding teeth to offer support.

Multiple tooth replacement – implant supported bridges are used to replace two to three missing teeth in a row. Like traditional fixed bridges, a series of replacement teeth with crowns on either side is connected to two implants rather than healthy teeth.

Implant supported prosthetics – implant supported partial and full dentures closely resemble traditional dentures, and they can be either removable or fixed, depending on patient preference. For a more natural overall appearance and function, a series of dental bridges can be placed on dental implants to restore a full row of missing teeth.